Trekking Patagonia

Punta Arenas

Otway Sound and Cerro Castillo

Torres del Paine - Rio Serrano

Torres del Paine - Cabanas del Paine

Torres del Paine - Grey Glacier

Torres del Paine - Lake Pehoe

Torres del Paine - Sarmiento Trek

Torres del Paine - The Towers

Los Glaciares - El Calafate

Los Glaciares - Perito Moreno Glacier

Los Glaciares - El Chalten

Los Glaciares - Mt. Fitzroy

Los Glaciares - Posada Lunajuim

Argentina to Chile - The Great Bus Swap

Puerto Natales

Getting to Patagonia

  Punta Arenas  
Photo of Rooftops, Punta Arenas, Chile
Punta Arenas, Chile

Punta Arenas was the departure point for our tour, and since we didn't overnight in Santiago, we spent two nights there.  Punta Arenas is on the Strait of Magellan and claims to be the southernmost city on the face of the earth!  (Actually Ushuaia, Argentina is farther south, but is much smaller.)
Photo of Punta Arenas and the Strait of Magellan Photo of Punta Arenas Statue of Magellan Setting Foot in the New World Photo of Punta Arenas Statue of Magellan Setting Foot in the New World
Photo of Punta Arenas, near town square Photo of Restaurant La Marmita, Punta Arenas Photo of Painting of Disney Princesses outside Punta Arenas PreSchool

We didn't expect much from Punta Arenas, but it was lovely.  We spent a very pleasant day visiting the park with its statue of Magellan, exploring the lovely 1840's cemetery, and visiting the Maggiorino Borgatello museum of natural history and prehispanic ethnic groups.   We had a great dinner at the charming, colorful, La Marmita (Plaza Sanpaio 678), and pleasant paella our second night at La Tasca.
Photo of 1840's Punta Arenas Cemetery Photo of 1840's Punta Arenas Cemetery Photo of 1840's Punta Arenas Cemetery
Photo of 1840's Punta Arenas Cemetery Photo of 1840's Punta Arenas Cemetery Photo of 1840's Punta Arenas Cemetery
Photo of 1840's Punta Arenas Cemetery Photo of 1840's Punta Arenas Cemetery, Punta Arenas Photo of 1840's Punta Arenas Cemetery

We stayed at Hotel Jose Nogueira, a beautiful historic mansion.   It's the best hotel in town, but the rooms are small, you might want to reserve one of the two suites if you book far enough in advance.   Hotel Finis Terrae is a good second choice.  We had lunch in its attractive dining room with great views of the colorful rooftops and the strait.
Photo of Hotel Jose Nogueira Photo of Hotel Jose Nogueira Photo of Upstairs Lounge of Hotel Finis Terra
Photo of Restaurant La Tasca Photo of Card for Restaurant La Tasca Photo of Map for Restaurant La Tasca Photo of Card for Restaurant La Tasca